Global Health Cluster Orientation Package

Module 1: The Background and Principles of the

Humanitarian Reform

Module 1: Learning Objectives

On completion of this module participants will have a good understanding of:

• The background and purpose of the humanitarian reform

• The principles behind the humanitarian reform

• The objectives of the humanitarian reform

The Health Cluster GuideThe Global Health Cluster has developed a practical guide for country-level implementation of the Health Cluster

Available in English and French:www.who.int/hac/global_health_cluster/guide

• online• hard copy• CD/ROM

Current context: is complex and changing

• More natural disasters

• Fewer new wars, but more long standing complex conflicts

• Fewer refugees, but more internally displaced persons

• More humanitarian actorsIFRC

ICRC

CEDERAPNSs

WFPNGOs

UNDP

MIL

OCHAGeneva

HumanitarianCoordinator

AffectedAffectedPopulationPopulation

AffectedGovernment

CIMIC

NationalRed Cross

USAID/DART

Ambassadors

DonorGovt’s

NGOs

Nationalmilitary

HCRUNICEF

IGOs

OSSOC

UNDAC

MEDIA

WHO

The need for the Humanitarian ReformThe Humanitarian Response Review (2005) found:

• Well-known and long-standing gaps

• Unpredictable response capacity • Poor coordination and a

proliferation of partnerships• Insufficient accountability• Inconsistent donor policies

Who is involved?

UN (full members) WHOUNDPUNHCRFAOUNFPAWFPUNICEF

Others (Standing Invitees)OHCHRWorld BankICRC & IFRCUNSG IDPIOM, ICVASCHRInterActionMajor NGOs

IASCInter-Agency Standing Committee

In practice, there is no difference made between

full members and standing invitees)

The 3 Pillars of the Humanitarian Reform

Built on strong and consistent PARTNERSHIPS between UN and non-UN actors

Strengthening Humanitarian

Financing

Adequate, timely and flexible

financing

The Cluster Approach

Adequate capacity and predictable leadership in all

sectors

Strengthening Humanitarian Coordination

Effective leadership and coordination in humanitarian emergencies

Strengthening Humanitarian Coordination

Need for:• A more effective humanitarian coordination system

with more strategic leadership and coordination • The appointment of appropriately qualified and

experienced Humanitarian Coordinators • A roster of experienced Humanitarian Coordinators• Professional development for Humanitarian

Coordinators

Strengthening Humanitarian FinancingNeed for:

• Predictable & timely funding • Diversity and complementarity of various funding

mechanisms• Equitable and transparent funding modalities for

UN and non - UN agencies• Strategies and channels for disbursement of

funding which does not inhibit, and is not detrimental, to partnerships

The Cluster ApproachAims to:

• Identify and address gaps• Strengthen humanitarian partnerships• Ensure predictability and accountability by

clarifying the division of labour among agencies, and making the humanitarian community more accountable

Cluster Lead Agencies1. Health WHO2. Nutrition UNICEF 3. WASH UNICEF4. Emergency Shelter UNHCR & IFRC5. Camp Coordination & Management UNHCR & IOM6. Education UNICEF & SCUK 7. Agriculture FAO8. Protection UNHCR 9. Early Recovery UNDP10. Logistics WFP11. Emergency OCHA12. Telecoms UNICEF, WFP

The key objectives of the Humanitarian Reform

To ensure:1. Sufficient humanitarian response

capacity through enhanced leadership, accountability and predictability

2. Adequate, timely and flexible funding3. Improved humanitarian coordination and

leadership4. More effective partnership between UN

and non UN humanitarian actors

The cluster approach is based on building effective partnerships

The Principles of Partnership

• Equality

• Transparency

• Result-oriented approach

• Responsibility

• Complementarity

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The Challenges to Partnership

Conflicting mandates

Accessing funding

Conflicting accountabilities

Preferred agency independence

Inconsistent agency engagement

Conflict of interest

Limited capacity building potential

Limited opportunities for participation

Difficulty representing diverse NGO interests Perceived

duplication in coordination

Inclusiveness & participation versus need for action

Effective Partnerships

Are essential and will need:

• A change in mind set• A change in how the humanitarian

community works together• Putting beneficiary needs ahead of

organisational needs

No single agency can cover all humanitarian needs

Summary• Humanitarian Reform aims to improve

predictability, timeliness, effectiveness of the response and to pave the way for recovery efforts

• Government remains in the lead: the cluster approach builds on national and local capacities, not replaces

Module 1: Key Messages (1)

Humanitarian Reform aims at improving the predictability, timeliness and effectiveness of the response to the humanitarian crisis

Module 1: Key Messages (2)

Humanitarian Reform is based on five Principles of Partnership:

Equality Transparency Result orientated approach Responsibility Complementarity

Module 1: Key Messages (3)

• Humanitarian reform is an IASC led reform with input and support from all humanitarian actors

No longer reform but the way we work together

ResourcesHealth Cluster Guide

www.who.int/hac/global_health_cluster/guide

Humanitarian Reformwww.humanitarianreform.org

Global Humanitarian Platform www.globalhumanitarianplatform.org

Discussion & Questions